Here are some simple steps that explain how the application process works.
Step 1
First of all you will need to establish whether or not you need building regulation approval. You must also check whether you need planning permission. Please visit the planning pages for more information on this service. If planning permission is needed, it may be sensible to wait until this permission is granted before submitting a building regulation application.
Step 2
You will then need to decide which type of application you need to submit for your proposed project.
Step 3
If you need building regulation approval and you are submitting a full plans application, you may wish to employ an experienced professional to prepare and submit the application for you. For example, an architect, a surveyor, builder, consultant or other agent. Together with your application form and charges form, you will need to send us plans that include detailed construction information, from the depth of the foundations to the height of a chimney.
Whilst you can draw these plans yourself, you will need to have a very good knowledge of construction and have read and understood the building regulations and the Approved Documents. Employing a professional, may help to make the process more efficient.
Step 4
You will then need to submit a full plans application or a building notice application. Alternatively you can also use our online submission service to submit your building regulation applications electronically.
Step 5
When we receive your application we will check;
- you have filled in the application form correctly,
- you have submitted the detailed plans we need
- you have provided a site plan at a scale of not less than 1:1250 (in the case of the erection or extension of a building)
- you have sent us the correct fee.
You can also use our online fee calculator to assist you in calculating the building regulation fees required for your particular project.
If you have, supplied all of the information which we require, your application will be validated, and we will acknowledge this by sending you a letter usually within four working days of registering your application.
If we need more information from you to validate your application, we will write to you usually within 15 working days explaining what additional information is needed. You should send this extra information to us as soon as possible.
If you submit a full plans application this will be checked by one of our surveyors for compliance with the Building Regulations. If we require any further information or amendments, we will contact you or your agent.
We have a statutory five-week target to make a decision on your application from the date of deposit, although you can agree to extend this to two calendar months, which may provide you with more time in providing any further information which we may require.
Step 6
Unlike planning, we don't inform your neighbours about your proposed work and plans aren't available for the public to look at. We do recommend that you let your neighbours know about the work you are proposing.
Step 7
Whilst we are considering your plans, you should speak to a number of experienced builders and get estimates for carrying out the work.
Step 8
If we are happy that the work you are proposing will meet the building regulations, we will approve, or conditionally approve, your full plans application.
Where it has not been possible for you to provide us with all of the information we require, we may have to issue a rejection notice. In these situations, you can submit amended plans, clearly showing your amendments, with two copies of new application forms. There is no plan fee required when resubmitting an application.
Step 9
It is a legal requirement that you give us notice prior to the commencement of work on site and then at various stages throughout the project to enable us to inspect the work to make sure that it meets the minimum building regulation requirements. Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure that the building work complies with the building regulations. If it does not meet the minimum requirements, the work may have to be altered or removed to achieve compliance.
Step 10
You should contact building control not more than 5 days after the building work has been completed. Where a building is being erected and that building (or any part of it) is to be occupied before completion, the person carrying out the work should give us at least 5 days notice before the building or ant part of is occupied.
If we are happy that the work you have carried out meets the minimum standards of the building regulations, we will issue you with a completion certificate. It is a very useful and important document to have when you are selling or re-mortgaging a property.
Please note: You could considerably affect the value of your home if you carry out alterations or extensions that don't comply with the Building Regulations. It is a legal requirement to submit a building regulation application.
Building Control
Planning Services
Guildford Borough Council
Millmead House
Millmead
Guildford
Surrey
GU2 4BB
Tel: 01483 444545
Email: buildingcontrol@guildford.gov.uk